Ingleside High School senior enjoys creative outlet welding offers

Since 1988, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times has received thousands of nominations and provided college and university scholarships for deserving students in school districts across the Coastal Bend.
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Ingleside High School senior Taylor Ward has been named a 2017 Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar in the Career category.(Photo: Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times)Buy Photo

Taylor Ward, 18, can weld a barbecue pit, race a dirt bike or build a picnic table with her carpentry tools.

“I just always loved to build things,” said the Ingleside high school senior, who has been named a Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar in the Career category. Ward has 4.0 grade-point average and is ranked 14 out of a class of 160. Her parents are Debra Amason of Aransas Pass and Thomas Ward of Kingsville.

"My dad always raced dirt bikes and motorcycles and taught me to try new things and be adventurous," she said.

Her specialty is welding, and she does everything from making metal wall art to repairing jeeps.

“I grew up working with my hands, and learning things hands on,” she said. “With my father and my brother, I raced bikes, raced motorcross, and went all the way from Laredo to Oklahoma. I learned carpentry early, and I love to build picnic tables."

She got into welding when she transferred schools because her new school didn’t have a woodworking program.

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Ingleside High School senior Taylor Ward has been named a 2017 Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar in the Career category.(Photo: Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times)

“At first it was hard being the only girl,” she said of participating in a class of 30. “And when you go out into the field, there are almost no women welders," she added.

“Now, I have gotten used to it,” Taylor said. “I have made great friends and connections and had opportunities I would never have had if I hadn’t learned welding.”

Wayne Stephens, dual credit coordinator for Ingleside High School, said that he is impressed by Ward’s creativity and tenacity.

“She is so enthusiastic and creative,” he said. “Not only is she in the top 10 percent of her class but she is in advanced welding. She can go out to a fair and come back and say ‘I want to make that,’ and do it.

"She is stubborn as a bulldog and she keeps at a project until she has it figured out," he added. "And she puts in the work. She shows up in her work clothes and hood two hours a day.”

She plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station to become a physical therapist. She hopes to join the military and participate in the Wounded Warrior program.

“I want to travel the world,” she said. “I eventually want to go to developing countries and use my skills to help build schools and other things that they need.

"Whatever I end up doing for my career, I want to continue improving my welding as a hobby," she said.